Aeroplane



244-48 mpaa-ol DR 1,857,694-

May 10, 1932. RIGHTQN 1,857,694

AEROPLANE Filed Jan. 9, 1931 I'M/vani y):

20 14 1 flunijjk/Zfdw/ 244. AttiUNAU l lL-D Patented May 10, 1932 NTTATE AEROIPLANE Application filed January 9, 1931, Serial No. 507,660,and in New Zealand October 23, 1930.

This invention relates to the usual type of aeroplane and it has beendesigned with the object of providing improvements in the features ofconstruction thereof whereby provision is made for the control of themachines flight and more particularly its vertical movements.

In this invention provision is made for the plane, or planes, beingmounted upon a horizontal axis, or axes, so that it, or they, may betipped up or down and for such tipping being effected by the pilot fromthe cockpit of the body. The ability to tip the planes in this mannerwill therefore give the pilot more effective control of his machine ingaining and in losing altitude, and will enable quick rises to beobtained and sudden drops to be checked, and other advantages gainedthat will be obvious to those engaged in piloting these machines.

The invention consists more particularly in the manner of mounting eachplane so that it may be tipped to cause it to incline from front to rearat any angle within the range of movement provided for, and in the meanswhereby such tipping movements may be obtained and the plane held firmlyin any adj usted position.

The manner of giving effect to the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in relationthereto.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation of a biplane constructed inaccordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of one half thereof, the other half beingof similar construction.

The drawings are in diagrammatic form showing generally the fundamentalprinciples of the features of construction forming the invention. Thedetails of construction, sizes, and materials employed in giving effectto the invention will naturally vary to suit different types of machinesand the special circumstances of each case.

In this invention each plane A is supported by a number of pivotalattachments B, disposed in a longitudinal row at a suitable distanceback from its forward edges,

to strut frame members C extending vertically from outrigger frames Dwhich project laterally and-rigidly from the fuselage E of the machine.These frame members are made of approved materials and of suitablestrength, and the pivotal attachment of each plane to the framestructure thus provided will permit the planes being turned on thepivots to incline at any desired angle laterally with the planes lengthwithin the a limits of movement provided for by the control. The planeis thus adaptable for having its forward edge dipped, or raised, tocontrol direction and speed in flying, and by this facility, to eitherdispense with the tail control or to act in conjunction therewith, in amanner that will be readily appreciated by the expert airman.

For controlling and adjusting the planes disposition, a spindle F isprovided to extend transversely through the fuselage E and to projectfrom both sides thereof for approximately the length of the plane. Thisspindle is carried in suitable bearings so that it may be rotated, andsuch bearings are supported upon frame members G, attached to themembers D, to keep it in its proper position relative to the plane, orplanes, throughout its length. Mounted on the spindle, at suitabledistances apart along it, are the eccentric discs H, all disposed in thesame relative positions with respect to the spindle. Each eccentric issurrounded by a strap J and such strap is connected by connecting rods Kwith the plane, near its forward edge. In the case of a biplane bothplanes may be connected to the same eccentric straps, the connectingrods being arranged to extend in the same line with the major axis ofthe eccentric disc.

The turning of the spindle therefore will impart a longitudinal movementto the connecting rods which will cause the planes to tip up or downupon their pivots B in exact correspondence with each other. Theseconnecting rods will also act as stays to maintain the planes rigidly atany angle to which they may be moved and more especially to hold them inthe normal flying positions.

If desired, with a biplane, the movements of the spindle may be impartedthrough the eccentrics and connecting rods direct to one plane, theother plane then being correspondingly moved by stay rods connecting theforward edges of the two.

The spindle F is controlled by a handle lever M fixed thereon, anddisposed within the cockpit of the fuselage in such a position that theoccupant may reach and operate such lever. This will work in conjunctionwith any of the known means for locking it in any position, and thusalso to lock the spindle from turning and to maintain the plane, orplanes, at the desired position.

The eccentric discs and straps may be displaced by their mechanicalequivalents, as for instance crank arms or discs.

I claim An aeroplane, comprising two substantially parallel andsuperposed planes, each plane being pivoted on a horizontal pivotrigidly supported by the fuselage, the two pivots being parallel andsuperposed, a plurality of straps each connecting both planes, aneccentric attached to each strap, a spindle for rotating all theeccentrics, and means in the cockpit operable by the pilot to rotate thespindle to incline the planes.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

DOUGLAS HUNTLY RIGHTON.

